Welcome to Sled RUX! In this series we feature members of the RUX community, and share how they use RUX in their snowmobiling adventures. Do you have a cool story about how you use RUX? We’re always interested to hear alternative and adventurous ways our community is using the RUX products.
Who are you? Name, location, occupation, & random fact.
Abby Cooper, Squamish BC, Photographer/Producer specializing in remote backcountry locations.
Random Facts: I love wearing cowboy boots, the only plant I can keep alive is a cactus, I broke Renthal handles when I was 12 dirtbiking, I'm a super nerd: I have more first aid and avalanche safety certs than most avalanche instructors.
How do you use RUX products for sledding? (tunnel bag, gear hauler, etc) What do you carry in your 70L for sledding?
Primarily for packing, hauling and keeping my gear organized. I always pre-pack my backpack, but my RUX is for everything else. When I see it in the RUX, I know it's accounted for and it only takes me one trip from the garage to the truck when leaving at an ungodly hour in the morning. Boots, helmet, goggles, buff, sleeve gloves, unloading/work gloves, snacks for the drive, beer for after and anything else crucial for a day out that doesn't live in my backpack.
At times I use the 70L on my tunnel for when I have a lot of gear. I usually use a CFR dime bag for tools, extra gloves, lunch, ect.. but with my line of work, I'm often packing up much more than I care to carry in my pack or would fit in my dime bag. When that is the case, I am usually hauling production gear, crew snacks, extra batteries, extra gloves, props, gimbals, drones, ect.. Everything required to ensure a shoot is as flawless as possible!
Why is it better than a more "traditional" tunnel bag? (if you use it as one)
No one makes a 70L tunnel bag! Awesome to have the space, and also the ability to cinch it down if I'm not using every litre available to me. It also has so many attachment points I know that whether it's going on my rack or someone else's we will be able to attach it with ease.
How do you use the same 70L in the off-season?
More like, what am I not using it for. I use if for weekly photoshoots, hauling props, products, crew snacks, ect... sometimes I'm using up to four RUXs per shoot! Beyond that, I use it as my go-to vessel for mountain biking (helmet, shoes, hip belt, water, fresh clothes for later), surfing and freediving (utilizing the dry and wet sides is key), travelling (dog supplies, human clothes, food, ect..), the list goes on. I didn't know how much I would utilize a RUX until I had one, and now, I don't go a single week with out using it multiple times.
What rack system do you use?
Cheeta Factory Racing Link-it-up 2.0 Rack.
Any other thoughts on RUX and sledding?
The RUX Bag is an awesome divider for pre and post-sledding gear when using it as a hauler. It can also ensure your muddy/snow boots don't get to your radio, extra layers and snacks. The whole system also has made me more organized when leaving the house, and not losing items under the backseat of my truck. It seals up so well that it can also easily stow under the sled deck without drenching your precious gear from dripping sleds.